Christmas-tree-lighting socket



362-296 M Uidltbluc ivirqminr Jan. 21, 193 A. J. PAROUBEK El AL 1,744,495

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING SOCKET Filed March 16, 192'! I .Darzcarz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANTON J. PAROUBEK AND DUNCAN MCIVIILLAN, OF RIPLEY, CALIFORNIA; SAID MCMILLAN' ASSIGNOR TO SAID PAROUBEK CHRISTMAS-TREE-LIGHTING SOCKET Application filed March 16, 1927. Serial No. 175,740.

This invention relates to electrical apparatus, and more particularly to a string of sockets adapted to be draped on a Christmas tree to illuminate the same, and it is an object of this invention to provide a fixture which rectifies certain disabilities presented by the conventional type of electrical fixture now on the market and widely known throughout the civilized, Christian world.

The conventional type of fixture now on the market consists of a plurality of sockets electrically connected in series. The sockets are strung together by electrical conductors and are spaced by knotting or tying. Each socket consists of a cup-shaped receptacle in which there is threadedly mounted a metallic socket adapted to threadedly receive the shank of a light globe. The electrical con ductors extend through the insulated cupshaped members and are spot-welded to the socket at their bared ends. WVhen a light globe is inserted into the socket and screwed into place, there is more or less turning of the socket within the cup-shaped, insulated member and the wires become crossed, thus forming a short circuit. The amount of electricity then passing through the remaining lamps in series is of too high a voltage, and the remaining lamps soon burn out. In addition to this, the knotting and tying offers a considerable waste of material, and as insulated electric wire is considerably expensive, this also constitutes an undesirable feature of the conventional type of Christmas tree electric lighting fixture.

It is an object therefore, of this invention to provide a fixture for Christmas trees which can not become shorted due to torsional strain of the shank of the light-globe on the socket within each fixture.

A. further object of this invention is to provide a device which dispenses with the tying of knots for spacing the electric light sockets.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device in which the cost of manufacturing the same has been reduced to a minimum, and in which every element thereof performs its function in a dual manner, thereby dispensing with the number and intricacy of parts which co-operate to form the assembled light fixture.

Yet another object of this invention is to devise a device in which there is a saving of insulated, copper material, and which device will operate etliciently regardless of this cut in the amount of insulated material required.

A still further object of our device is to provide a fixture in which there is a reflector, which reflector serves the purpose of reflecting and intensifying the light, while at the same time it holds all parts of our invention in their respective operative positions.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a socket assembly for Christmas trees which will not sag or droop, but which will remain horizontal or vertical, or at any position that it is placed, and requires no special supports or brackets to hold the same in position.

Another object of our invention is to provide a device which is extremely simple in its construction, strong and durable, inexpensive to manufacture, and which is well adapted to perform the services required of the same.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, like characters of geference designate like parts throughout, an

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken through a combination of elements that co-operate to make up the socket of our invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the discs used in connection with our device.

Figure 3 is a plan View of the elements shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the body portion or casing of our device.

Figure 5 is a plan view of our device assembly showing the casing crimped in position, and with the reflector removed to more clearly reveal the operative parts of the invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken through our device assembly.

The reference numeral 20 designates a cupshaped container employed in connection with my invention. On the bottom of this container as at 21, is a thin sheet of paper,

cardboard or other insulating material. A pair of diametrically opposed cut-out portions are formed in the side of this container. A disc of fiat insulative material is shown at 22. This disc has a central aperture 23 and a slot 24 formed therein. A strip of conductive material is indicated at 25 and extends through this slot 24 and has its ends lying flatly against opposite sides of the disc as at 26 and 27. A small washer 28 of insulating material is formed in the bottom of the socket 29, and a headed pin 30, extending through the disc and washer, fastens the socket 29 securely to the center of the disc. A metallic strip or portion 31 of the socket 29 is cut from the bottom of the socket and spread outwardly to rest on the upper surface of the disc at a point diametrically opposed to the point at which the metallic strip 25 rests on the disc. Thus in plan view the device resembles the showing in Figure 3. A pair of soft, wire staples 33 and 34 serve to hold the strip 31 and the strip 25 respectively, against the upper face of the disc. The ends of the metallic conductors 42 and 43 are attached to these staples and the staples are bent down on the same to clamp them in position, and if desired, a spot of solder may be applied. The return conductor 44: which completes the circuit, extends through the slots in the side of the container 20, and underneath the disc 21 as clearly shown in Figure 6. A ring 50 of insulating material is inserted over the socket 29 and rests on the top of the staples 33 and 34. The upper edges of the container 20 are then crimped over the ring 50, which bears firmly against the staples, pressing the disc 22 clownwardly, and clamping the insulated conductor 44 against the bottom of the container. A suitable cup-shaped reflector 52 has an aperture therethrough of suflicient size to enable the same totbe positioned over the socket 29 as clearly shown in Figure 6, and a collar 53 having internal threads 54 formed thereon is adapted to be screwed on to the exterior of the socket, clamping the reflector against the disc 50, thereby adding additional clamping means to the operative parts in the interior of the container 20. The device is therefore, compact and unlikely to get out of order.

Our device therefore, is economical and has been so constructed that every element thereof bears a dual relation to the assembly. The staples 33 and 34 not only serve as clamping means, but serve as contact points. The strip 31 serves as a contact lead, and at the same time it is formed integral with the socket 29 by cutting a strip therefrom and bending the same outwardly. The reflector not only serves in the capacity of a reflector, but it serves as a cover and clamping means to hold the operative parts of the device in close relationship. The collar 53 not only serves as an insulator, but serves as a nut to press the parts together. Thus throughout our entire invention, the principle of economy is prevalent and the device may be placed on the market at a very nominal price.

We do not desire to limit ourselves specifically to the use of our invention for Christmas trees, for the principles of the same may be extended to adapt themselves to use in various phases of the electrical industry.

It will be understood that various changes in the detail of construction may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

e claim:

1. A socket assembly for Christmas trees comprising in combination a substantially shallow cup-shaped cylindrical member, an insulating medium in the bottom portion of said member completely covering the same, a thin disc of insulative material having a periphery substantially equal to the inner periphery of said member, tightly fittin within the same, there being an aperture and a slot in said disc, a metallic strip extending through said slot having one end overlying a portion of said disc and the other end underlying a portion of said disc, said under lying end having a central contact extending through said disc and a socket member on said disc surrounding said Contact and insulated from the same, means for attaching the overlying end of said strip to said disc, a cut-out portion on said socket member, said cut-out portion being bent to overlie said disc, means for attaching said cut-out portion to said disc, said last two mentioned means constituting contact leads from said container, an insulating ring above said disc, the upper edges of said container being crimped to bear against said ring, and a cover surrounding said socket for said container.

2. A socket assembly for Christmas trees comprising in combination a substantially shallow cup-shaped cylindrical member, an insulating medium in the bottom ortion of said member completely covering t 1e same, a thin disc of insulative material having a periphery substantially equal to the inner periphery of said member, tightly fitting within the same, there being an aperture and a slot in said disc, a metallic strip extending through said slot having one end overlying a portion of said disc and the other end underlying a portion of said disc, said underlying end having a central contact extending through said disc and a socket member on said disc surrounding said contact and insulated from the same, means for attaching the overlying end of said strip to said disc, a cut-out portion on said socket member, said cut-out portion being bent to overlie said disc, means for attaching said cut-out portion to said disc, said last two mentioned means constituting contact leads from said container, an insulating ring above said disc,

and a cover surrounding said socket for said container.

3. A miniature lamp socket assembly comprising in combination: a cylindrical container, a disc in said container, a socket member extending from said disc, means rigidly attaching the socket to the disc, said attaching means being of conductive material and having a head disposed Within the socket,

means insulating said attaching means from the socket member, a conductor leadin to said attaching means, and a second con uctor leading to said socket member.

4. A miniature lamp socket assembly comprising in combination: a cylindrical container, a disc in said container, the edges of said container being crimped over upon said disc to retain the disc therein, a socket member extending from said disc, means rigidly attaching the socket to the disc, said attaching means being of conductive material and having a head disposed within the socket, means insulating said attaching means from the socket member, a conductor leading to said attaching means, and a second conductor leading to said socket member.

5. A miniature lamp socket assembly comprising in combination: a cylindrical container, a disc in said container, the edges of said container being crimped over upon said disc to retain the disc therein, a socket member extending from said disc, means rigidly attaching the socket to the disc, said attaching means being of conductive material and having a head disposed within the socket, means insulating said attaching means from the socket member, a conductor leading to said attaching means, a second conductor leading to said socket member, and a cover member for said conductor having an aperture therein through which the socket member extends, and the outer face of said cover member being bright to form a reflector.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

ANTON J. PAROUBEK. DUNCAN McMILLAN. 

